Categories & AWARDS
We are really excited to cheer you all in at Newark Castle on the 24th April 2027.
Due to the nature of the waterway, locks, and the logistics involved in returning your boards back to Nottingham, this event is for ISUPs only.
Every board length is recognised and celebrated. Whether you are looking to challenge yourself against the clock, enjoy the adventure at your own pace, or share the experience with others, there is a way for everyone to take part.
Same route. Same date. Same finish line. We all celebrate together at Newark Castle.
You have the option to take part in Race to the Castle in one of three ways:
Race Fleet
Test your speed, stamina, and strategy.
Compete for category podium positions and the honour of being recognised amongst the fastest paddlers on the River Trent.
If you want to push yourself, race against others, and chase your best possible time, select the Race Fleet category that matches your board length.
Adventure Fleet
More time, same route.
Perfect if you want to soak up the experience, enjoy the journey, and complete the 40km challenge at your own pace.
Whether it’s your first downriver adventure or you simply want to enjoy every moment on the water, the Adventure Fleet is all about the experience.
Team Events
Race 2 the Castle is even better when shared.
Take on the challenge as a team and experience the journey from Nottingham to Newark Castle together.
You can choose to complete the full route as a team or take on the challenge through our relay option.
Team Paddle
Teams must have a minimum of two paddlers, with no maximum team size.
Each paddler completes the full Race 2 the Castle route, with every paddler’s effort counting towards the final team result.
Each team member will carry their own live GPS tracker, recording their official race time. Your team result will be calculated by combining the times of all paddlers and creating an average team time.
The fastest average team time will take the top spot on the podium.
Whether you paddle together, support each other along the way, or each chase your own fastest time, every paddler plays an important part.
It’s teamwork… with a mathematical twist.
Relay Event
The relay option allows two paddlers to share the Race 2 the Castle journey by completing different sections of the route.
Paddler One: Nottingham start line to Gunthorpe Bridge (16km).
Paddler Two: Gunthorpe Bridge to Newark Castle (24km).
Only Paddler One needs to register, as the live GPS tracker will be transferred at the relay changeover point at Gunthorpe Bridge.
Relay teams are responsible for arranging their own transport and logistics to and from the changeover point.
This means:
Paddler One arranges travel to the start line and collection from Gunthorpe Bridge.
Paddler Two arranges travel to Gunthorpe Bridge and collection from Newark Castle.
For ‘The Royal Finish’, both relay paddlers are welcome to paddle together on the water and celebrate the finish.
Female Adventure Category - Any ISUP
Male Adventure Category - Any ISUP
Team Relay - 2 Paddlers - One Paddler Nottingham to Gunthorpe, One Paddler Gunthorpe to Newark Lock - Both paddlers paddle "The Royal Finish" together - Any ISUP
Team Event - Grab your mates, club and paddle the full route together (min of 2 people in a team) - Any ISUP
Female Race - Under 12.5 ISUP
Male Race - Under 12.5 ISUP
Female Race - 12.6 to 13.11 ISUP
Male Race - 12.6 to 13.11 ISUP
Female Race - 14ft ISUP
Male Race - 14ft ISUP
Female Race - Unlimited ISUP
Male Race - Unlimited ISUP
Race Tandems - ISUP
New for 2027 – The Castle Sprint
A race within the race
For 2027, we’re introducing a brand-new challenge within Race 2 the Castle.
The Castle Sprint is an approximately 5km timed section between Stoke Bardolph Pub and Gunthorpe Bridge, giving paddlers the chance to put the power down and chase the fastest sprint time of the day.
Whether you are racing for a podium position, testing your speed, or simply fancy an all-out effort during the 40km journey, this is your chance to unleash your pace.
There is nothing extra you need to do.
Your live GPS tracker will automatically record your Castle Sprint time as you pass through the start and finish points.
No extra entry.
No additional timing chip.
No stopping.
Just decide on the day….do you save your energy for the full 40km, or do you go all in for the Castle Sprint?
New for 2027 – Age Category Awards
More ways to compete. more achievements to celebrate.
Race 2 the Castle has always welcomed an incredible mix of paddlers, from first-time river adventurers to some of the most experienced athletes in the sport.
From 2027, alongside our existing board length categories, we’ll also be recognising performances across five age categories throughout the full Race to the Castle fleet.
The top three male and female paddlers in each age category will be recognised:
Senior – 18–39
Masters – 40–49
Grand Masters – 50–59
Premier Masters – 60–69
Legends – 70+
You don’t need to do anything different when signing up, your age category is automatically allocated on your entry.
More opportunities to compete.
More podiums to celebrate.
More recognition for the incredible breadth of talent within our paddling community.
Prize Giving & Awards
The celebrations don’t stop when you cross the finish line.
Our Race 2 the Castle prize giving will take place at 7:00pm in front of Newark Town Hall, just before we head into the official after party celebrations.
We’ll be recognising the incredible achievements of our paddlers across a range of categories, celebrating speed, endurance, teamwork, and the different ways people take on the Race to the Castle challenge.
The Castle Sprint Awards
The fastest paddlers per category and gender in the Castle Sprint will be recognised, with awards presented for the quickest times recorded on the approximately 5km sprint section between Stoke Bardolph Pub and Gunthorpe Bridge.
Age Category Awards
The top three male and female paddlers in each age category across the full Race 2 the Castle fleet will be recognised.
Team Awards
Race 2 the Castle is even better when shared, and we’ll be celebrating the teamwork and achievements of our team paddlers.
Awards will be presented to:
The top three fastest teams in the Team and Relay Paddle categories.
Kings and Queens of the River
Every year, paddlers take on the challenge of Race 2 the Castle in search of their own personal victory.
For those chasing the fastest times, the top male and female paddlers in each board length category will be crowned the 2027 Kings and Queens of the River.
A celebration of speed, endurance, and the incredible performances across the Race 2 the Castle fleet.
Every Castler receives their Race to the Castle medal to wear with pride, celebrating their achievement on the River Trent.
REGISTRATION
Meet and Greet, pre registration will be open Friday 23rd April 5pm - 8pm at Welbeck Hall.
Registration and Tracker collection from 530am by category wave on Saturday 24th at Welbeck Hall
START LINE SEQUENCE
Paddlers will start in waves outlined below. The wave start times help ease congestion at the start, waterway and at the 5 locks along the route.
For all waves the start sequence will be a 5 minute warning, 1 minute warning, 30 second warning and 10 second countdown. You will hear a loud whistle and then it will be verbally communicated. “Whistle blow….. 5 minute warning”
Please note: Start sequence, cut offs, timings may change depending on local weather conditions and down river flow rate.
AFter-party
This year the afterparty will be at Newark Town Hall.
WAVES
Adventure Category, Relay (adventure)
7am: Event Start
10:45am: Cut off for Check Point 1 at Gunthorpe (16.7km)
12:30pm: Cut off for Check Point 2 at Hazelford (24.3km)
4pm: Race cut off at Newark Castle (40km)
Race Under 12’6 ISUP, Team
7:30am: Event Start
10:45am: Cut off for Check Point 1 at Gunthorpe (16.7km)
12:30pm: Cut off for Check Point 2 at Hazelford (24.3km)
4pm: Race cut off at Newark Castle (40km)
Race 12’6 - 13’11 ISUP, Relay (race)
8am: Event Start
11am: Cut off for Check Point 1 at Gunthorpe (16.7km)
12:30pm: Cut off for Check Point 2 at Hazelford (24.3km)
4pm: Race cut off at Newark Castle (40km)
Race 14ft, Tandems, Unlimiteds ISUPS
9am: Event Start
11:45am: Cut off for Check Point 1 at Gunthorpe (16.7km)
1pm: Cut off for Check Point 2 at Hazelford (24.3km)
4pm: Race cut off at Newark Castle (40km)
Breaks, CheckPoints & Cut Offs
For the safety of all participants there will be a mandatory 10min break for all paddlers at Gunthorpe Lock. You’ll arrive at this checkpoint/cut off point and then your 10min will begin once through the gate. Here, our team of volunteers and first aid support will welfare check, hug, high 5 and get you ready for your next stage. You can of course have a longer break, but you need to manage your timings to meet the next cut off check point.
There are 2 timed cut off points along the route, Gunthorpe & Hazelford. You will be able to work out your event strategy and what speed you need to paddle at to meet the cut off times for your category. Remember this is a downriver event, there may be flow and assistance from the river. The week before the event, we will make any necessary time adjustments to reflect the weather conditions on the day.
These cut off points are designed to keep you paddling at a pace and to ensure everyone participating has the skills, stamina and strength to complete the event. For your safety and wellbeing if you are unable to meet the required cut off times you will be asked to retire from the event, return your tracker. An event official will be here to help facilitate exit for all paddlers who have not met this cut off. If you are concerned about not making these cut-offs please have your own transportation organised. The race will not provide shuttles from this point.
Our safety team has the full authority to revoke the option to continue paddling past the checkpoints, and they can insist that a paddler retires from the event if they deem the paddler unfit to continue. Please accept this with grace. These cut-off times are for your safety. This may be due to extreme fatigue, poor nutrition, injury etc. or if the paddler does not appear coherent/appears confused/losing coordination/motor skills/etc.
FAQ
Does the river have flow? What's the wind usually like?
The river has flow. It can be as steady as pushing you along at rest, at 1.5kmph and as faaaast as 4kmph.
What's the wind usually like?
The prevailing wind is usually behind you. The river does meander, so you may get a bit of side wind along the route. Who was there in 2024? That year we had a head wind the entire way.
How does this impact cut off times?
Leading up to event day we continuously asses the weather and the impact this may have on all paddlers. If we feel we need to add on time, adjust start times, for no flow or head wind we will (we did in ‘24 and everyone made the cutoffs). We will also let you know what weather to expect along the route.
I don't know which category to enter?
If you want to have the most time to complete the course enter the adventure category and if you want to test your skills, stamina and strategy enter the applicable race category for your board length. Everyone gets their finishing medal and the top 3 fastest in each category will be crowned kings and queens of the river. You can work out the required paddling speed at calculator soup. Please see the allocated timings for each category.
Adventure: 9hrs to get to the castle
All Juniors and Race Below 12.6: 8.5hrs to get to the castle
Race 12’6 - 13’11: 8hrs to get to the castle
Race 14ft and tandems: 7hrs to to get to the castle
How do I work out my paddling pace with the portages and mandatory stop. I'm getting confused?
1. The 40km includes all portage distance. We have measured the route from the start to the finish. We have included the additional “portage time” along the route for the cut off times.
2. In our plans we have estimated 1hr in portage times and your mandatory 10 min break. You can of course "make time" by having an efficient, fast, slick portage or you can take longer depending on your strategy. Remember no running with boards is permitted at the portage.
3. Work out your category allocated time, deduct your estimated portage time and your 10min break. This will give you your paddling time. Then use calculator soup to work out your pace (without flow)
EG Adventure 9hr allowed - 1hr 10min = 7hr 50min = 5.7kmph of paddling pace
4. "forget" about the river flow and see that as a bonus on the day. Train to the paddling paced above.
5. Then get excited about the potential flow rate and recalculate (who knew you’d need your old GSCE maths so much for a paddling event)
6. You start to get carried away on a "slow flow" I only need…. on a ”fast flow” with tail wind I’ll be there before lunch. AHHHHHH checks the weather report 10 times a day on that final week.
The most important thing for us is for you to enjoy the day, enjoy the lead up, the party and celebrate in your achievements. We have to have these plans in place as our big boss said so. So we can get organised, and get the bananas in the right place at the right time. Don't let the timings scare you.
We want to see you all at the castle. WE WILL SEE YOU ALL AT THE CASTLE
